Volleyball's David and Goliaths

Tuesday

Oct 30, 2007 at 2:00 AM

The four teams defending Section 9 volleyball titles this year didn't just roll over their competition last year. They've been rolling over them for a few years. And as the Section 9 tournament opens today, they look like they could do the same this year.

Keith Goldberg

The four teams defending Section 9 volleyball titles this year didn't just roll over their competition last year. They've been rolling over them for a few years. And as the Section 9 tournament opens today, they look like they could do the same this year.

We look at Goliaths of the local volleyball court and the would-be Davids trying to take them down this week:

Goliath: Pine Bush, six-time Section 9 champion

Would-be David: Minisink Valley, last year's Section 9 runner-up.

What makes Pine Bush so tough? "They click really well, they know what each player is thinking. When you're playing offense, you need to be ready to get that next point. They know how to set up a strategy to set up a point." - Minisink Valley Sr. Ashley Coyle

Key to beating them: "Going out there with an attitude that you have nothing to lose. Going up against Pine Bush can be an overwhelming thing, you have any self-doubt, that's something they feed off of." - Coyle

Goliath: Cornwall, two-time Section 9 champion

Would-be David: Port Jervis, Section 9 semifinalist last year

What makes Cornwall so tough? "They play a club season, so their team is consistent. It seems like they're more excited to play together, they're closer to each other." - Port Jervis Sr. Darcee Rooney.

Key to beating them: "We just have to get on top of them first. You can't get into that big a hole against them, because you'll have a tough time making it back."

Goliath: Red Hook, four-time Section 9 champion

Would-be David: New Paltz, last year's Section 9 runner-up

What makes Red Hook so tough? "They keep the ball in play and they send a kill back every single time. It's never a free ball, it's always an attack." — New Paltz Sr. Christine Wesserling.

Make the case that your team can beat them: "This year, I haven't seen our offense like this since we won sections (in 2002). If we get that perfect pass and set, no one can stop our offense." — Wesserling.

Goliath: Rhinebeck, three-time Section 9 champion

Would-be David: Tuxedo, Section 9 runner-up to Rhinebeck in 2004

What do you remember about the 2004 final? "They were really confident out there, they had great serves and amazing hits. They always knew where the ball was." — Tuxedo Sr. Rebecca Meekins

Make your case that your team can beat them: "Talent-wise, we've improved a lot. We're fooling a lot of teams (with our record). We have the courage to say we want to go in and win this thing." — Meekins